Protesters have murdered the Divisional Crime Officer(DCO) of Atan police Station in Ogun State Mr. Augustine Ogbeche.
Also, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the station is missing since the attack.
Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, who described the development as unfortunate, said the protest was taking a dangerous violent dimension.
DSP Oyeyemi said that some people with ulterior motives were using the opportunity to commit all sorts of heinous crimes.
According to him:’Early this morning(Wednesday), the protesters went to Atan-Ota; set the police station ablaze, and subsequently murdered the D.C.O, DSP Augustine Ogbeche, in cold blood. A civilian also died in the process while some arms were carted away. They also inflicted serious injury on the DPO SP Sikiru Olugbenga, whose whereabout is yet unknown. Also in Abeokuta, some groups of boys attacked Obada-Oko divisional headquarters and vandalized it.
“In view of this, the Commissioner of Police Ogun State Command is appealing to the youths to eschew violence and embrace peace as the violence will do no one good. He is equally appealing to traditional institutions, parents, and other critical stakeholders to prevail on the youths to stop this carnage and give the government a chance to address the situation.
“The youths are reminded that since the commencement of the protests the police have been nice and civil to them even when some of our men were injured and our stations damaged. We even went ahead and released all the 36 suspects we arrested. However, if in the course of handling the protests anybody feels offended we plead to understand and not retaliatory measures including killing and maiming policemen and burning and damaging police stations. We will ensure that justice is served to any aggrieved person. Please and please let us continue to embrace peace rather than violence. The Command sincerely appeal to the youths. Parents and guardians are also enjoined to help rein in their children and wards “.
